Quote:
Does VanAlstine buy advertising space in Stereophile? It seems that advertisers get more and better reviews.

I will, for now, assume you are not just a troll, looking for mischief, and offer some answers.

First, whether or not a copmany advertises or not in Stereophile has no bearing on whether its products get reviewed or not or what kind of review coverage. We give rave reviews to products from non-advertisers, such as the Channel Islands amplifier in August, and negative reviews, such as the Harmonic Technology cable review also in August, to companies that advertise.

Second, we last reviewed an AVA product in 1988, and at that time I felt that the company was more in the modification business than a true manufacturer. If that has changed, then I will consider contacting Frank Van Alstine about arranging a review.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

It is nice to see you here Mr. Atkinson.

Contrary to some conspiracy theory I do believe that Stereophile is unbiased in its reviews. However, it will be very nice to see comparison and rating of equipments against each other just like HiFi Choice does.

Also, if all other factors remains equal can you name a solid state amplifier which is so good at three dimensionality that one will have the urge to go forward and try to touch the singer in the middle of speakers?

yup, more AVA, less BS. Why not run comparisons on pro stuff to over hyped CONsumer stuff? checkout some RANE www.rane soem Crown, soem otehr pro brands....not some stuff with magic un earhtly magic wire and conenctors, what somehow make it all happen. Checkout www.proaudioreview.com and www.prosoundnews.com compare CONsumer hype to stuff used to make teh music in teh first place....AVA stuff is a bargain, superb sound, super reliabil, and great value, ain't had an AVA fail yet in all the time I have used all my AVA stuff.

Well I sure hope Atkinson doesn't kill someone in his mad rush to get to the phone to contact Van Alstine! I mean really! We have the good old hints of corruption as regards advertising, hi-end all high priced BS, push the 'pro' gear, etc. ... and all in just two posts no less.

Look, from what I can tell looking at comments about AVA on the Audio Asylum the stuff seems to be great. But it's hardly the only reasonably priced stuff that has gained a loyal following. For example there is a lot of excellent stuff that either comes from China or is manufactured in China/Asia ... Jolida, Shanling, Eastern Electric (Minimax products), and on and on. And it is worth noting that in the 'looks' department, important to many folks, a lot of this stuff makes AVA look like crap.

But anyway, supposing Atkinson is not turned off completely, that an AVA piece does get reviewed, that the review turns out to be a rave ... which one of you will agree in advance to give Van Alstine a ring to ensure he hasn't 'paid' for the good coverage should he then subsequently decide to place an Ad?

How come pro amps used to make the music at live events and in the studio, don't have magic aligned crystal connectors? Or some foo foo wire that somehow needs to be lifted off the carpet, cus of "dielectric" distortions? Seen many pro installations, of Crown QSC, Hafler, where the stuff looks pretty foul, people WALKING all over the mic cables, guitar cables, and yet, it sounds like bliss. Many of the amps didn't have exotic French sounding names either, mostly Crown QSC, Hafler, plain, basic top end electronics, no foo foo dust...plain cases, it's what's inside that makes the music. Didn't see any "audiophile" AC line cords neither going to these amps, just some rugged heavy duty stuff.

I've noticed that a lot of that pro stuff is very attractive, in fact in the looks department, important to many, it make AVA look like crap.

And it's priced right in leauge, if not cheaper, with AVA and the far east stuff mentioned.

So then why bother with AVA at all? The answer wouldn't have something to do with sound, now would it?

Latest version of OmegaStar EX is incredible, I use/used Omega III, OmegaStar now latest rebuild of a DH500 Hafler OmegaStar EX, it really is incredible, the highs are smoother more shimmering closer to LIVE yet, each new update gets it better and better. With it's plain face plates, no dazzing light show. Let's see som AVA reviews in Stereophile, compared to some $20,000 "reference" electronics, that Stereophile promotes so heavily in their reviews and adsd. AVA is priced for working mortals, with super reliablity and sound that is getting closer and closer to live.

That's better! Sounds like great stuff.

As far as $20,000 components go let's remember that such components usually sit next to similarly priced items in systems that we working mortals can only dream of. Those type of system/components are the counterparts to the super exotic sports cars that help sell car magazines for example.

But anyway back to the real world. I wan't to see a reviw of the $450.00 Joilda JD9 Phono Stage. I don't know about $20,000 phono stages, don't care really, but this thing has already blown away *much* more expensive stages that *I've owned*. Oh baby! It's a killer!